Morris tribune., 1887-07-06
UNION PACIFIC INQUIRY
SOME RATHER UNSAvoRY DlScLOS-
URES HEARD.

Omcers of the Road Active In Nebraska
onicials-Increasing Estimates for Com
struction-An Opinion That the Govern
ment viii Lose Its Lien.
OMAHA, Neb., July 4.-Before the Pacific
railway commission Editor RoSewater, OF
The Omaha Bee, testified that it has been for
years the practice of the United States mar
shal for Nebraska and his deputies to travel
on free passes over the Union Pacific railroad
and to charge the government 10 cents mile
for every mile so travelled. He had himself
seen deputy United States marshal travel
ing on such pass, from whom he learned
shat the deputy had to share with the mar
shall the travelling fees allowed by the gov
ernment. Witness also produced telegram
from the general attorney of the road to the
general and assistant managers, dated at
Omaha Oct lS 1873, which reads as follows:
To S. H. H. CLARK OR T. L. KIMBAIL- Denver:
The vote of the shops will probably decide the
election. and it is said it will go solid against
Grebe for sheriff. He has served the road better
than any sheriff we ever had. Can't you give this
vote: l think You should il possible If you
agree instruct proper parties to give him the vote
and send me copy Of your telegram.
A. J. PopPLEroN
Mr. Poppleton explained that his course in
sending the telegram had been dictated by
the fact that passengers on the Union Pacific
company's trains had been persistently robbed
by three-card monte men, and the man
Grebe referred to in the dispatch was the
only man who had been found able to handle
the gamblers.
Peter A. Dey testified that the promoters
khcsT TnSo Poo
survey and estimate on the cost Of the pro-
posed read. When he gave an estimate of
So, 900 mile for the first loo miles he was
directed from headquarters to increase the
amount to $50, 600 so as to make it appear
that the road was an expensive one to build.
From bis declination to comply with this de-
mand his resignation came about. He be-
heved the entire road could now be paral-
leled for s25, 900 a mile. If he were the
owner of the branches he would let the gov
ernment have the main line with the first
mortgage on it, and would himself run the
branches. The control of the local business
was largely in the hands of the branches,
and if the government had the main line it
would have to compete for through business.
Congressman mcShane expressed the belief
that the first mortgage bonds Of the Union
Pacific, when they mature, would take the
property, and the government lien and the
stockholders interests would both be wiped
out
A letter was received from President Bar
ton of the Omaha and Grant Smelling and
Refining company which showed that the
rebates and overcharges paid to that company
by the Union Pacific company from Sept. l,
1888, to April l, 1887, was s570, 2.26, and
that the total amount Of dividends paid to
Fred l. Ames and Sydney Dillon from the
smelling company during the same period
was $50, 500 each.
The commission holds sessions at the follow
ing places at the dates named for the purpose
of ascertainiug the relations of the road to
the communities through which it passes:
July 2, at Columbus and Gaand Island; July
4, at lincoln; July 5, at st. Joseph, Mo-,
Marysvine, Mo-, and Lawrence, Kan. July
8, at Leavenworth, Kan; July 6, Z, s, and 9
at Kansas City.
COLUMBUS, Neb., July 4.-The Pacific
railway investigating commission heard a
number of witnesses here Saturday morning.
The substance of the testimony was that
there had been some complaint as to the
management Of the Union Pacific road, but
much of it had arisen because of passes and
privileges given to politicians and that since
Mr.. Adams has been in charge things have
improved.